Product Development Manager

Salary:
Competitive, dependent on experience

We are working with a well-established bakery manufacturing business
, part of a wider food group, to recruit an experienced NPD Manager to lead its product development function.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced NPD professional to take ownership of a busy development function, working across innovation, customer projects and product launches within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Reporting into the senior management team, you will lead the NPD function and manage a team of 5 direct reports
, ensuring projects are delivered from initial concept through to successful factory launch.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead, manage and develop a team of 5 NPD professionals
• Manage the full NPD process from concept through development, trials, scale-up and launch
• Deliver multiple customer and innovation projects against agreed timescales
• Work closely with Commercial, Technical, Operations, Procurement and Quality teams
• Develop products that meet customer requirements while maintaining commercial and manufacturing viability
• Coordinate factory trials and ensure successful transfer from development into production
• Manage project critical paths and communicate progress to key stakeholders
• Support the wider business with innovation, product improvement and development opportunities
• Build strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders
• Contribute to the continued growth and development of the NPD function as part of a wider food manufacturing group

We are looking for an experienced NPD Manager / Senior NPD professional with a strong background within bakery or food manufacturing
.

You will ideally have:

• Proven NPD experience within a food manufacturing environment
• Experience managing products from concept through to launch
• Previous team management experience, ideally managing multiple direct reports
• Strong project management and organisational skills
• Experience working cross-functionally with Technical, Operations and Commercial teams
• Strong customer-facing and stakeholder management skills
• A commercially focused approach to product development
• The ability to operate effectively within a fast-paced manufacturing environment

This is a role for someone who enjoys combining people leadership, product development and commercial delivery
, with the opportunity to make a genuine impact within an established food manufacturing group.